What is a TikTok challenge?
A TikTok challenge is when a dance, stunt, joke, or other viral activity is posted on TikTok and then recreated and reposted by other users. Challenges allow TikTok creators to put their own spin on an existing trend. Some of the most popular TikTok challenges include:
- The Renegade – A 15-second dance routine set to the song “Lottery” by K Camp.
- The M to the B Challenge – Moms and daughters recreate a dance routine originally made famous by TikToker meggsies.
- The Don’t Rush Challenge – Users apply makeup very quickly while music plays in the background.
TikTok challenges go viral when they are recreated by top influencers and many other users. They allow the TikTok community to collectively participate in a common activity. Challenges showcase creativity, skills, and good-spirited fun.
Picking a Challenge
The first step is deciding whether you want to join an existing popular challenge or create your own original challenge. Piggybacking off a trending challenge can help your video get more views, but starting your own challenge allows you to showcase your personality and interests.
Consider the difficulty level of any challenge you’re considering. As a beginner, you’ll want to pick a challenge with easier dance moves or stunts. More advanced TikTok creators can take on greater challenges to impress their audience. Make sure you set yourself up for success instead of frustration.
Also take some time to reflect on your own skills, interests, and personality. Doing a challenge related to one of your hobbies or talents will allow that passion to shine through. And challenges that align with your brand or the image you want to convey will seem the most natural for you and your followers.
For example, if you love parkour, a wipeout or stunt challenge could be perfect for you. Fashion lovers may gravitate toward outfit change challenges. Find the intersection between challenges that are buzzworthy and challenges that feel like an authentic representation of you.
Learn the moves
The key to nailing a TikTok dance challenge is learning the choreography. Start by searching TikTok for tutorial videos that break down each dance move step-by-step. The dancer who created the challenge may have posted their own tutorial. Other users often make tutorial videos as well.
Watch the tutorials multiple times to get a feel for the moves and the timing of the dance. Pay attention to details like counts, weight shifts, arm movements, and facial expressions. Try to emulate the moves precisely as they are demonstrated in the tutorial videos.
Once you feel comfortable with each move individually, start trying to connect them together into the full dance sequence. Go slowly at first, focusing on precision. Say the counts out loud and count the beats. As you get more confident, work on smoothing out the transitions between moves and dancing in time to the music.
Keep rehearsing until you can complete the entire TikTok dance from start to finish. Mastering the choreography takes repetition and patience. But with concerted practice, you’ll be ready to record and post your video in no time! For more tips, check out this tutorial video.
Film yourself
When filming your TikTok video, it’s important to follow some best practices to get the best quality footage:
First, make sure to record horizontally, not vertically. This fills up more of the screen with the video.
Next, pay attention to the lighting. Try to film in a well-lit area, near natural lighting if possible. Avoid having too much backlight from windows, which will make you look too dark.
Choose a clear, uncluttered background for your video. A blank wall or open outdoor space works well. Avoid busy backgrounds that will distract from you.
Finally, see if someone can assist you with filming if needed. They can hold the camera steady while you perform your moves. Just make sure they keep you properly framed in the shot.
Following these simple tips will ensure your videos look polished and professional for TikTok.
Add effects and music
Adding the right effects and music can help make your TikTok challenge video stand out. Use sounds associated with the challenge you are doing to help contextualize the video. The “Say So” challenge, for example, uses Doja Cat’s song “Say So.” The “Blinding Lights” challenge uses The Weeknd’s song “Blinding Lights.” Using the signature song helps identify which challenge you are doing.
TikTok has hundreds of effects like filters, text overlays, stickers, and more that can enhance your video. Some popular effects for challenges include the Green Screen effect to place yourself in wacky backgrounds, the Bling effect to add some sparkle, and the Mirror effect to show side-by-side dancing (Source). Get creative and add effects that match the vibe of the challenge!
Use TikTok’s editing tools to seamlessly transition between clips, add text captions, adjust speed/duration, and more. Splice together different takes to create one polished final video. Employ effects strategically at impactful moments. With the right editing, you can make your challenge video flow flawlessly.
Post your video
Once you’ve recorded and edited your video, it’s time to post it to TikTok. Here are some tips for posting your TikTok challenge video:
Write a compelling caption that describes the challenge, encourages people to try it, and uses relevant hashtags. The caption helps get more eyes on your video. Use hashtags like #challenge, #foryou, and any others related to the specific challenge.
Tag the creator of the challenge if you know who started it. This gives them credit and exposes your video to their followers. You can tag creators by using @ and their username.
Add relevant hashtags to your caption to help the right audience find your video. Look for popular hashtags used in other videos of the same challenge. But don’t go overboard with too many tags.
Once your caption is ready, post the video! TikTok makes it easy to upload and share videos right from your phone. Keep the caption concise, tag appropriately, use relevant hashtags, and watch your views climb.
Source: How to Use TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide
Promote your video
Once you have posted your TikTok challenge video, it’s time to promote it and get more people watching! Here are some tips:
Share your video on other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to reach more of your followers. You can embed the TikTok video or download it and upload directly to the other platforms. Encourage your followers on those platforms to go check out your TikTok challenge video. Don’t forget to link to your TikTok profile so they can find more of your videos. [1]
Engage with any comments you get on your video. Reply back with thanks for watching or answering any questions. Liking comments also helps promote engagement. The more comments and interaction your video gets, the more TikTok’s algorithm will promote your video in recommendations to other users. [2]
Directly tag other users and friends in the comments of your video, challenging them to try the TikTok challenge for themselves. Encourage them to then post their own video doing the challenge. Seeing others participate will motivate more users to join in the fun.
[1] https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-to-promote-tiktok-video?lang=en
[2] https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-to-promote-your-videos?lang=en
Do a duet
One fun way to participate in a TikTok challenge is to do a duet with the original challenge creator or a friend. A duet allows you to split the screen and record yourself doing the challenge alongside the original video. Here’s how to duet on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and find a video you want to duet with. Tap the “Share” button below the video.
- Select the “Duet” option. This will open up a split screen with the original video on one side.
- Tap and hold the record button to record yourself doing the dance or challenge. Your video will show side-by-side with the original.
- You can pause and resume recording as needed until you complete the challenge.
- Add any text, effects, filters, or stickers. Tap “Next” when finished.
- Write a caption and add hashtags. Make sure to tag and credit the original creator.
- Tap “Post” to share your duet for others to see and try.
Dueting is a fun way to put your own spin on a challenge while still giving credit to the original creator. It allows you to interact with friends, creators, and the TikTok community in a collaborative way.
Create your own challenge
If you want to get really creative, you can make your own TikTok challenge for others to try. Here are some tips for coming up with a viral dance challenge:
Come up with original dance moves that are fun and easy to follow. The dance should be simple enough for people to pick up quickly, but unique enough to stand out.
Use a catchy viral song that people will recognize. Popular music helps a challenge spread quickly.
Launch a hashtag campaign to promote your challenge. Encourage people to post their own videos doing the dance with your unique hashtag.
Get creative and let your personality shine through. A fun, lively challenge can take off and become the next viral TikTok sensation!
Have fun!
When participating in TikTok challenges, the most important thing is to have fun and express yourself. Don’t stress too much about going viral or getting a certain number of views or likes. The best challenges showcase your personality and creativity.
Make sure to participate safely in any challenge – avoid dangerous stunts or activities that could lead to injury. Do your own research on any challenge before trying it yourself. Focus on challenges that look enjoyable for you, not just ones that are trending.
TikTok is about creativity, so add your own flair when you do a challenge. Customize it to match your style. Duet and stitch other videos to put your spin on a challenge. Come up with your own challenge if you have a unique idea. The goal is to have fun and show your authentic self!
